Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Higher caffeine than brewed tea -- contributes to total caffeine load
- Concentrated EGCG associated with rare hepatotoxicity at high doses
- Lead contamination risk from whole-leaf products -- choose tested brands
- Pregnancy: limit caffeine from all sources
Contraindications
- Higher caffeine than brewed tea -- contributes to total caffeine load
- Concentrated EGCG associated with rare hepatotoxicity at high doses
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Matcha powder is concentrated whole-leaf green tea containing caffeine, L-theanine, EGCG, and other catechins. It delivers significantly more caffeine than brewed green tea. Concentrated EGCG from green tea has been associated with rare cases of hepatotoxicity when taken as a supplement at high doses. Lead contamination from soil is a quality concern for whole-leaf products.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Camellia sinensis (shade-grown, stone-ground green tea)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 9 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Higher caffeine than brewed tea -- contributes to total caffeine load
- Concentrated EGCG associated with rare hepatotoxicity at high doses
- Lead contamination risk from whole-leaf products -- choose tested brands
- Pregnancy: limit caffeine from all sources
The available scientific evidence for Matcha Powder indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 9/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 2/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 9 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 9 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 12:45
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffect of water activity and light exposure on the stability of bioactive compounds in matcha (Camellia sinensis) powder during storage periods. ↗Kim JM et al.. Effect of water activity and light exposure on the stability of bioactive compounds in matcha (Camellia sinensis) powder during storage periods.. Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41785770.PMID 41785770 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41785770/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAssociation of haloacid dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase with vegetative growth, virulence and stress tolerance during tea plant infection by Didymella segeticola. ↗Li D et al.. Association of haloacid dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase with vegetative growth, virulence and stress tolerance during tea plant infection by Didymella segeticola.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2025. PMID:39643170.PMID 39643170 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39643170/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWComparison of technological and physical properties of matcha powders of different geographical origins. ↗Stu0119pieu0144 A et al.. Comparison of technological and physical properties of matcha powders of different geographical origins.. J Sci Food Agric. 2025. PMID:39574219.PMID 39574219 ↗Journal J Sci Food AgricYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39574219/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of Soluble and Insoluble Fibre on Glycolipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice. ↗Ren H et al.. Effects of Soluble and Insoluble Fibre on Glycolipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice.. Nutrients. 2024. PMID:39599608.PMID 39599608 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39599608/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNSPlex: an efficient method to analyze non-specific peaks amplified using commercial STR kits. ↗Kutsuwada Y et al.. NSPlex: an efficient method to analyze non-specific peaks amplified using commercial STR kits.. Int J Legal Med. 2024. PMID:38613626.PMID 38613626 ↗Journal Int J Legal MedYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38613626/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCake of Japonica, Indica and glutinous rice: Effect of matcha powder on the volatile profiles, nutritional properties and optimal production parameters. ↗Wei R et al.. Cake of Japonica, Indica and glutinous rice: Effect of matcha powder on the volatile profiles, nutritional properties and optimal production parameters.. Food Chem X. 2023. PMID:37025417.PMID 37025417 ↗Journal Food Chem XYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37025417/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMatcha and Sencha green tea extracts with regard to their phenolics pattern and antioxidant and antidiabetic activity during in vitro digestion. ↗Rusak G et al.. Matcha and Sencha green tea extracts with regard to their phenolics pattern and antioxidant and antidiabetic activity during in vitro digestion.. J Food Sci Technol. 2021. PMID:34366474.PMID 34366474 ↗Journal J Food Sci TechnolYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34366474/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMatcha and Its Components Control Angiogenic Potential. ↗Iwai R et al.. Matcha and Its Components Control Angiogenic Potential.. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2021. PMID:33952732.PMID 33952732 ↗Journal J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo)Year 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33952732/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTannin-Mordant Coloration with Matcha (camelia sinensis) and Iron(II)-Lactate on Human Hair Tresses. ↗Sargsyan L et al.. Tannin-Mordant Coloration with Matcha (camelia sinensis) and Iron(II)-Lactate on Human Hair Tresses.. Molecules. 2021. PMID:33562583.PMID 33562583 ↗Journal MoleculesYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33562583/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Matcha Powder. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Matcha Powder
A score of 3.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.